A Month of Fundays

The Rotation

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:11:00 +0000

The Yanks face a decision with their rotation: to add a risky starter or to stand pat and see what they have in Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and the others. This is a subset of a bigger issue. The only way the Yanks are ever going to significantly lower their payroll is to start producing championship level players for their farm. It's a simple truth. They're never going to want to stop winning, so until the farm can produce championship level players again, as it has done in the past, the payroll isn't gonna get much below 200M. With this in mind, both Joba and Phil have both shown they can get out major league hitters. But for injuries to both of them, we might already know what we have in them. But as it stands right now, they may very well be better than anyone on the market right now, but they might never get their chances.

The Yank are gonna have enough offense to stay in the race while we find out about Phil and Joba, one or both of them could come up huge. It wasn't very long ago that they were both projected as top of the rotation starters. So why not give them a few months to show what they can do now that they've been around the bigs for awhile? We'll have more tradeable assets at the deadline thane we have now, so why not? Joba was a very good 4 before they started the innings plan. Hughes was coming around before Wang came back and he went to the pen. So let's get Holliday, and let these two guys develop.

Whither Johnny?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:43:00 +0000

Though there is still a hole in Left Field, Johnny Damon's days as a Yankee seem to be over. The other day there were reports that Johnny had sent a message to the Yanks that they shouldn't even make an offer unless it started at 13M and went for 3 years. Now we are hearing that eventually lowered his demand to 2/24M, then finally 2/20M but by that time the Yanks had agreed to terms with Nick Johnson on his new deal. Apparently, the Yanks only offer to Johnny, before they agreed with NJ, was 2/14M, which Johnny was never going to take. So now, Johnny will be looking elsewhere, and there's still a hole in LF, and a free agent left fielder who really wants to be a Yankee and though he's about as good as Mark Teixeira, a deal for him will cost about 100M less.

So here's what I believe. I think the Yanks believed they had a shot at Roy Halladay, and were willing to trade for Roy Halladay and bring back Damon on a two year deal. Then, when Halladay went to Philly, the next player on the Yanks board was Matt Holliday. I think, right now, the Yanks are hoping to get Holliday at their number, then find another starter through a trade or through a highly incentivized deal. We'll see if I'm right. Go Yanks!

It's Official!

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:41:00 +0000

OBP Jesus is back in pinstripes and ready to rock! So far, the moves the Yanks have made have been great. I doubt they'll screw it up with a DeRosa or anything like that. And I still think they'll swoop on Holliday. Go Yanks!

Sheets Next?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:03:00 +0000

Now there's a lot of buzz that Ben Sheets will be the next new Yankee. I can only believe this is Sheets has thrown for the Yanks, and I don't know that he has. And any deal with a guy who missed all of last season, would have to be heavily incentivized. And getting Sheets to further block the development of Joba and Hughes, still would not fix the problem we now have in Left.

Almost Done?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:12:00 +0000

George King is reporting that the Yanks could announce Nick Johnson's return as soon as tomorrow. Of course, we've always wanted OBP Jesus back, but let's hope it doesn't preclude adding Matt Holliday to bat 5th. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: 1 year 5.5M pending a physical! Welcome back OBP Jesus!

"We're not done."

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Those were the words Hal Steinbrenner spoke at the Curtis Granderson press conference today. Though he paid lip service to the budget, he said he thought we'd do a few more things if the money is there. The money is there, let's get Holliday. Go Yanks!

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:20:00 +0000

1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Teixiera 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Holliday LF
6. Granderson CF
7. Posada C
8. Cano 2B
9. Swisher RF

Make it so, Cashmoney Green!

OBP Jesus on the Way?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:37:00 +0000

George King of the Post is reporting that the Yankees are indeed talking with Nick the Stick about a return to pinstripes. It would be an incentive based deal that would depend on Nick staying healthy. Get er done, Cash!

Cust for DH?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Kevin Rozell over at Zell's Pinstriped Blog is reporting that the Yanks are showing interest in Jack Cust. Now, Cust was non-tendered the other day, but is a lefty home run hitter who takes a lot of walks. He strikes out a ton, too, but still maintains a good OBP. While I'd prefer Nick Johnson, Cust could hit 40 jacks playing his homegames at NYS rather than out in Oakland. So he'd be a nice move, too. Go Yanks!

Yanks Land Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:34:00 +0000

In the next few days, the Yanks will announce that they have added former Padre GM Kevin Towers to their front office team. Towers will stay in California and act as an advisor to Yankee GM Brian Cashman. Towers is a good executive with great contacts who is also a somewhat legendary evaluator of pitchers. He should come in really handy for the Yanks for as long as he's on the job. Good hire!

Get This Guy

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:07:00 +0000

As much as the Yanks have talked about pitching and their budget this offseason, currently their O needs to most help. As of today we have Melky in left and Juan Miranda (who's injured) at DH. Until proven otherwise, that gives us a batting order that is only 7 deep. Make no mistake, parting ways with Matsui might have been wise, but we lost a 131 OPS+ hitter and that's significant. Johnny Damon is coming off a very good year, but he slowed down late and wants three years. What's the point of buying all that decline? Holliday is in his prime and the only competition for him is a 5 year offer from the Cards. Let's just do it then sign Nick Johnson for a year to scotchguard the O. C'mon, Yanks.

For DH?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:22:00 +0000

With Hit-deki Matsui moving out here, how about picking up OBP Jesus, Mr. Nick the Stick Johnson to come back and DH for us? His homer power has been down a bit since he hurt his wrist, but he still gets on base at a .400 clipe and might see his power numbers rise in NYS. It won't cost much, let's do it! Go Yanks!

Generations

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:27:00 +0000

The core four of the Yankees is OLD. That's something we just have to recognize. Though Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Mo just combined to help win their fifth championship as a homegrown unit, who knows how much longer they can stay so productive. ARod, too, is getting up there. Now, ARod is younger than Jeter and since they can both still run, it looks like they were age better than Giambi or Matsui, who couldn't still run. Believe it or not, it's predictor.

In any event, while the Yanks have largely rebuilt their farm, the best position players from that farm are at least a year away from starting to appear. That's why it was a good idea last year to add Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, and why it was a good idea this year to add Curtis Granderson. These players are all very good and in their primes and will help bridge the gap from the Jeter generation to a time when the farm is ready to produce big time positional talent again.

Now, it is because of this lag, between the Mo/Andy/Po/Jeter group to the next homegrowns that it would be wise for the Yanks to add any outstanding players on the right side of 30 who fit their immediate and long term needs. Such moves take pressure off the farm, and keep the Yankee type prospects in the Yankee system and not in someone else's. So what's the point? The Yanks should sign Matt Holliday for the hole in left, and, if he's as good as they have always thought, add Aroldis Chapman to the farm. We want to keep winning, right?

Aroldis Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Today is the day that Aroldis Chapman, who would not throw a bullpen when he visited Yankee stadium at the end of October, will throw a bulllpen with as many as 12 teams on hand in Houston. At one point, the Yankees were highly interested in the Cuban fireballer, but it seems their interest has waned over the past 6 weeks or so. We'll see if Chapman can reignite their interet later today.

In other Yankee news, the Yanks have reached out to the agent for free agent LF Jason Bay. This seems like a move designed to put pressure on Johnny Damon. Bay is a righty pulll hitter, who, like Damon is a poor defender in left. Though the Cards have leaked a "huge" offer to should be Yankee target Matt Holliday, it's unclear how it would be structured and how much would be guaranteed. The Yanks really need to be lurking on Holliday. They do need another big bat or two, and Johnny Damon would be a suboptimal fit at this point.

UPDATE: Chapman threw today in front of 15 teams. He hit 96 on the gun and showed a slider and a change. Nothing not to like about that.

What a Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:49:00 +0000

So, the Red Sox have signed Lackey. The Angels appear to be close on a deal for Matsui. Apparently Roy Halladay will be traded to the Phillies, while Cliff Lee is traded to the Mariners and prospects are traded to the Blue Jays. Okay, so the big pitchers seem to be gone and the Yanks don't have a perfect fit for the #5 hole in their line-up.

I think it's time for the Yanks to consider a creative deal for Matt Holliday. Here's a couple of reasons why. First, Holliday is a better player than any of next year's free agent LF's. Second, with the trade of Austin Jackson, the Yanks are now a couple of years, at least, from producing a Yankee type OF from their system. Third, he's a much better defensive player than Johnny Damon. Fourth, he is also a better offensive player than Johnny Damon. Fifth he is also a healthier player than Johnny Damon. Finally, and we all know this, he is a perfect fit for the Yanks.

Apparently, the Halladay to the Phillies/Lee to the Mariners/prospects to the Jays deal has been agreed to do.

Now the only pitchers left carry risk, and we have a lot of pitching depth as it is. Of course, if Cash can trade for a good hitter who can play left, that would be cool, too, but we might as well keep the farm for now. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: Juan Rivera is now being traded to the Braves for Derek Lowe.

UPDATE: Red Sox have agreed with Mike Cameron on a 2 year deal worth 15.5M. So Bay is gone.

Matsui to the Angels?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Buster Olney is reporting that Hideki Matsui has a 6.5M deal with the Angels. If that's the case, it ends the Yankee career of one of my favorite players. He may have pushed it too hard with his "streak" but he was a good hitter and a good Yankee. He will be missed, but the price tag is telling us that the Yanks are gonna go with Miranda at DH. Matsui was the best fit there of the FA DH's. Well, let's get a left fielder, then see what the pitching market looks like. Go Yanks.

UPDATE: The latest report is that Hideki Matsui is now an Angel. Thanks and God bless you, Hit-Deki!

Lackey to Boston?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:42:00 +0000

So Ed Price has heard from a source that Jon Lackey might be headed to Boston for a physical. So what does this mean for the Yanks? Nothing good. First, if Boston signs Lackey, we have one less option for the rotation and will have to match him up against Andy fourteen times or whatever next season. Second, if Boston gets Lackey, they can then throw Bucholz into a trade for AGone or Miggy. Third, it could cause an overreaction by the Yanks that could lead to them giving up Montero and others for Roy Halladay. See? Nothing good. The hope here is that the Yanks would realize that the Sox would be out of the Halladay market (presumably) and just continue to wait out the market with Sheets as a nice fallback option. It's getting interesting.

UPDATE: This is now confirmed. Lackey's deal will be similar to AJ's Burnett's.

Giants Lose

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:48:00 +0000

If you don't play defense you don't win. They had their chances, but couldn't get any stops. Oh, and we need two new kickers.

Must Win

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:06:00 +0000

If the Giants want to go on a run this year, they simply have to win today. But more importantly, I want them to win for Hope Johnson, an amazing woman and Giant fan who's going to watch the game with God this week. Hope brought grace to every life she touched, and to the Giant online and in person community she was a big part of since the dawn of the internet. Hope's smile and blessed presence was known to many of the current Giants, and I have a feeling they want this one for Hope as badly as we all do this weekend. God bless Hope and Godspeed to the Giants.

What's Next?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:57:00 +0000

While the Yanks wait on Johnny Damon and for the major league starting pitching market to clarify, this Tuesday, they will get their first look at Aroldis Chapman in quite some time. The Cuban fireballer's rep seems to have taken several hits over the past few months, but Tuesday he'll throw in front of the Yanks, Sox, Mets and others. The Yanks had been planning to add him to their system since he defected, but his refusal to throw a bullpen for them when they entertained him, and some other business may have turned them off. We'll know later this week, if they allow themselves to be outbid. Of course, at this point it doesn't look like Chapman will get a Major League deal, so any money he could get from the Yanks wouldn't be luxury taxable while he's in the minors.

One other area where we might see a decision, and hopefully tomorrow, is on the Kevin Towers front. Why would I live it done tomorrow? Cause Towers is one of the best in the business at finding pitching talent, and I'd like him to watch Chapman with the Yankee contingent on Tuesday.

So that's where we are right now. Go Yanks!

Yanks Interested in Ryota Igarashi?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:09:00 +0000

There are reports this morning that the Yanks are one of the teams interested in Japanese RP Ryota Igarashi. Igarashi's 5'11" and, in his healthy seasons he's K'd about 1 per inning. His production fell off a few years ago, when it turned out he needed TJS, but this will be his third season back, so he should be fine in that respect. He has gained true free agency from the Yakult Swallows, so no posting fee will be needed to acquire him, should the Yanks decide to go that way. In general, I am against spending on middle relievers, so I'm against this from the start. Go Yanks!

Thanks, Tiger!

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:31:00 +0000

According to Davidoff, the Yanks will not be tendering a contract to Chien Ming Wang at the deadline. So ends their nearly 10 year association. I remember back in 2000 when CMW was a big international signing, and his triumphs and injuries as he made his way through the minors to the bigs. At his best in `06 and `07 he was an innings eater who'd give you a ERA+ in the 120's. He seemed to have his troubles in the playoffs, but his career was off to a nice start until that interleague game in Houston where he broke his lis franc running the bases. This year, he came back and couldn't keep his pitches down. They finally realized he'd need the shoulder surgery they'd been hoping against all these. It was his pitching shoulder, with the partially torn rotator cuff that prevented the Yanks from ever locking him up long term, and now, sadly the end of the term has come. I'll always have fond memories of watching The Outlier get his grounders and induce his DP's. Good luck, Tiger Wang!

Who Are These Guys?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:18:00 +0000

The Knicks have just won their 4th in a row, this time at New Orleans, and their 5th out of their last 6. Now, I've pictured Gallo and Chandler who both were effective on both ends tonight, scoring and playing D and blocking shots, but everyone in the now shorter rotation is contributing. Lee, Harrington and Hughes have played well. Jeffries and Duhon are even playing better. Tonight Curry came back, and chipped in a few points in limited minutes, and Toney Douglas didn't play at all. That's how short the rotation is, and it's working. They're starting to be fun to watch again, and this is the first time they've won four in a row in over 2 years. Go Knicks!

Gardner Garnering Interest?

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Since the Yanks picked up Granderson the other day, we know that both Kansas City and now the Chicago White Sox have been trying to acquire Yankee CF Brett Gardner. What's more, when the Yanks picked up Jamie Hoffmann and didn't lose Colin Curtis in the Rule 5 draft, the Yankees major league ready organizational depth ran 5 deep. That's a lot of CF's. So while Gardy is a fast and talented cost controlled player, the Yanks should be listening to offers. Especially if pieces can be spun into any other deal they might want to make better than Gardner can. While I'd prefer trading the more expensive Melky Cabrera for prospects, Cash should see what he can get for Gardner. Go Cash!

Phase II Not Ready Yet

noreply@blogger.com (Kalel9) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Having rocked the Winter Meetings with the trade for Granderson, the re-signing of Pettitte and the Bruney for Hoffman swap, Cash told reporters the next shoe wasn't ready to fall yet. The Yanks currently have 37 players on their 40 man roster. If they want, that leaves room for a LF, DH, and SP which seem to be the only things they're considering now. It seems likely that if another LF is signed, Melky could find himself traded to the Cubs or another destination. But as of right now, no signings and no trade for Roy Halladay seem imminent. Still, so far, so good.